🚑 Sickle Cell Awareness Month 🚑

This is a month that is dear to me but before we go into that, let me just explain to everyone just exactly what is Sickle Cell Disease, who it affects and why is it so important that we try to help to find some kind of solution or cure.

What is Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)?
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a condition that affects people around the world. Due to the serious health problems associated with SCD there is a need to know more about the disease.

Among those with SCD, their red blood cells become hard and sticky and look like a C-shaped farm tool called a "sickle". The sickle-shaped cells die early, which causes a constant shortage of red blood cells. When a person doesn't have enough red blood cells, they have a condition called anemia. Also, when these misshaped blood cells travel through small blood vessels, they can get stuck and clog the blood flow. Whenever this happens, it results in severe pain and organ damage and can cause serious infections.

People with SCD can live productive lives and enjoy most of the activities that people without SCD do. These are some things that people with SCD can do to stay as healthy as possible:

• Get regular checkups. Regular health checkups with a primary care doctor can help prevent some serious problems.
• Prevent infections. Common illnesses, like influenza quickly can become dangerous for a child with SCD. The best defense is to take simple steps to help prevent infections. 
   
• Learn healthy habits.People with SCD should drink 8 to 10 glasses of water every day and eat healthy food. They also should try not to get too hot, too cold, or too tired.
• Look for clinical studies.New clinical research studies are happening all the time to find better treatments and, hopefully, a cure for SCD. People who take part in these studies might have access to new medicines and treatments.
• Get support. People with SCD should find a patient support group or other organization in the community that can provide information, assistance, and support.

However, there are also stages to this disease and those with the more severe stage find it hard to participate in everyday lives because going through Sickle Cell "Crisis" also cause organ damage and this also affects the person's quality of life.

How do you get it?

People who inherit one sickle cell gene and one normal gene have sickle cell trait (SCT). People with SCT usually do not have any of the symptoms of sickle cell disease (SCD), but they can pass the trait on to their children.

SCT is diagnosed with a simple blood test. People at risk of having SCT can talk with a doctor or health clinic about getting this test.

How Sickle Cell Trait is Inherited

• If both parents have SCT, there is a 50% (or 1 in 2) chance that any child of theirs also will have SCT, if the child inherits the sickle cell gene from one of the parents. Such children will not have symptoms of SCD, but they can pass SCT on to their children.

• If both parents have SCT, there is a 25% (or 1 in 4) chance that any child of theirs will have SCD. There is the same 25% (or 1 in 4) chance that the child will not have SCD or SCT.

-- Know your body especially before having children. Although I do not have the disease, I deal with this on a very regular basis due to someone in my family. This disease is lethal and very painful. It causes organ damage and failure and leads to death. I am being blunt because it's just that serious. 

If you know someone in your life with the disease then you understand what I am saying.

Every year Eta Sigma Delta does their annual Greek Homecoming which is a set of week long events, while this is fun it is also to serve for a very important cause, Sickle Cell Awareness. We raise money to donate in the hopes of one day they will find more effective ways to help our loved ones. Help in the cause... This year those events will be held from September 30th - October 6th.

Signing off
Destiny Joffer-Davis MD
                       aka
                           Big Sister On Point

Positive Thinking Day

HERE IS A QUICK AND EASY WAY

 TO CELEBRATE 

POSITIVE THINKING!

Positive Thinking Day is a time set aside each year to concentrate on all things positive. An American entrepreneur started this day in 2003 so that people could commemorate the many rewards that can be found in thinking positively.

How to Celebrate Positive Thinking Day

If you are not sure what to do to celebrate, here are a few suggestions.

• Start the day positively by saying “Today is going to be a good day!” This will set the tone for the day ahead of you.
• Say some affirmations. These are positive sentences about you or your circumstances that can give you boldness, confidence and self-esteem.
• Hang around with positive people.
• Show gratitude for the simple things in life.
• Read or watch positive, motivational books and movies.
• Be kind to someone today.
• Finally, the best thing you can do for yourself and others, today and everyday is to simply smile.

ETA SIGMA DELTA'S PRINCESS PINKY RUFUS

A.K.A

BIG SISTER SET IT OFF....

ON A MORE POSITIVE NOTE. THINK POSITIVE AND POSITIVE THINGS WILL HAPPEN.

🤦‍♀️ PCOS Awareness Month 🤦‍♀️

Before getting into the facts about what PCOS is let me just tell you a little facts about me. When I was pregnant and was having a lot of different issues in my pregnancy starting with my hormone levels, to bleeding at a lot of different points in my pregnancy, to high blood pressure to ending up with preeclampsia, to finding out I had poly-cystic cyst that the doctors swore to me would go away on it's on, I knew something wasn't right. After the birth of my son, my menstrual was never the same, sometimes I got my menstrual and sometimes it wouldn't come for months. When it did come the longest it lasted was a month and a half and I bled so bad that now to this day I am anemic. During that time test was done on me and I kept getting the run around about what need to happen versus what was going on. Recently, I found another doctor and began the testing again and I found out I had PCOS - Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and of course I had no idea what it was except that it was something that was causing problems in my everyday life.  Mostly all of the symptoms listed below I had and it is no fun living with this. A lot of people do not know about this and the fact of how many women actually suffers from it. I chose to do this blog because it represents me and I had a chance to give my voice on it and to educate other women. I wear teal for me because I will continue to fight it. 

What is PCOS?
Polycystic (pah-lee-SIS-tik) ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine system disorder impacting hormone production in women, often causing irregular menstrual cycles. It disrupts fertility health for these women in many ways! Why PCOS happens is still somewhat of a mystery. It could be a genetic condition, yet is believed to be a result of hormonal imbalance and the body’s inability to properly regulate insulin, which is made worse by poor diet, excess body fat, and an inactive lifestyle. Each woman with PCOS presents differently, beyond irregular cycles, many often experiences any combination of symptoms: anovulation, excess male-patterned hair growth, thinning hair or hair loss, acne, has multiple cysts on her ovaries, may be overweight or obese, yet may be thin, insulin resistance, and this list could probably go on.
With PCOS, women typically have:

• High levels of androgens (AN-druh-junz). These are sometimes called male hormones, though females also make them.
• Missed or irregular periods (monthly bleeding)
• Many small cysts (sists) (fluid-filled sacs) in their ovaries

What is the cause of PCOS?

The cause of PCOS is unknown. But most experts think that several factors, including genetics, could play a role. Women with PCOS are more likely to have a mother or sister with PCOS.

A main underlying problem with PCOS is a hormonal imbalance. In women with PCOS, the ovaries make more androgens than normal. Androgens are male hormones that females also make. High levels of these hormones affect the development and release of eggs during ovulation.

Researchers also think insulin may be linked to PCOS. Insulin is a hormone that controls the change of sugar, starches, and other food into energy for the body to use or store. Many women with PCOS have too much insulin in their bodies because they have problems using it. Excess insulin appears to increase production of androgen. High androgen levels can lead to:

• Acne
• Excessive hair growth
• Weight gain
• Problems with ovulation

Want to know if you possibly have PCOS? Check out the symptoms

The symptoms of PCOS can vary from woman to woman. Some of the symptoms of PCOS include:

• Infertility (not able to get pregnant) because of not ovulating. In fact, PCOS is the most common cause of female infertility 
• Infrequent, absent, and/or irregular menstrual periods
• Hirsutism (HER-suh-tiz-um) — increased hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes
• Cysts on the ovaries
• Acne, oily skin, or dandruff
• Weight gain or obesity, usually with extra weight around the waist
• Male-pattern baldness or thinning hair
• Patches of skin on the neck, arms, breasts, or thighs that are thick and dark brown or black
• Skin tags — excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area
• Pelvic pain
• Anxiety or depression
• Sleep apnea — when breathing stops for short periods of time while asleep

How can you get tested?

There is no single test to diagnose PCOS. Your doctor will take the following steps to find out if you have PCOS or if something else is causing your symptoms.

• Medical history. Your doctor will ask about your menstrual periods, weight changes, and other symptoms.
• Physical exam. Your doctor will want to measure your blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and waist size. He or she also will check the areas of increased hair growth. You should try to allow the natural hair to grow for a few days before the visit.
• Pelvic exam. Your doctor might want to check to see if your ovaries are enlarged or swollen by the increased number of small cysts.
• Blood tests. Your doctor may check the androgen hormone and glucose (sugar) levels in your blood.
• Vaginal ultrasound (sonogram). Your doctor may perform a test that uses sound waves to take pictures of the pelvic area. It might be used to examine your ovaries for cysts and check the endometrium (en-do-MEE-tree-uhm) (lining of the womb). This lining may become thicker if your periods are not regular.

What are some risks with having PCOS?

Women with PCOS have greater chances of developing several serious health conditions, including life-threatening diseases. Recent studies found that:

• More than 50 percent of women with PCOS will have diabetes or pre-diabetes (impaired glucose tolerance) before the age of 40.
• The risk of heart attack is 4 to 7 times higher in women with PCOS than women of the same age without PCOS.
• Women with PCOS are at greater risk of having high blood pressure.
• Women with PCOS have high levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and low levels of HDL (good) cholesterol.
• Women with PCOS can develop sleep apnea. This is when breathing stops for short periods of time during sleep.

Women with PCOS may also develop anxiety and depression. It is important to talk to your doctor about treatment for these mental health conditions.

Women with PCOS are also at risk for endometrial cancer. Irregular menstrual periods and the lack of ovulation cause women to produce the hormone estrogen, but not the hormone progesterone. Progesterone causes the endometrium (lining of the womb) to shed each month as a menstrual period. Without progesterone, the endometrium becomes thick, which can cause heavy or irregular bleeding. Over time, this can lead to endometrial hyperplasia, when the lining grows too much, and cancer.

Get educated and get informed.

Signing out

Destiny Joffer-Davis 

             aka Big Sister On Point

PCOS

NATIONAL MORE HERBS AND LESS SALT DAY!

NATIONAL  MORE HERBS AND LESS SALT DAY!

August 29th is More Herbs, Less Salt Day! Eating less salt is a good idea for everyoneregardless of age or overall health. Most Americans eat more processed foods than they should, which is the #1 culprit of adding unnecessary salt to our diet but reducing salt is easier when you add more flavor with fresh herbs!

If you DON’T have an herb garden, the good news is most grocery stores stock fresh herbs in the produce section. This time of year is perfect for fresh basil, parsley, and cilantro, but you can also find fresh rosemary, sage, dill, and others to add flavor to every meal! Here are some of the best ways to use some common herbs:

Parsley – This mellow herb gives a bright, grassy flavor that lets other flavors shine through. It mixes well with garlic and basil and is great to add as a finish to soups, pasta, and fish.

Sage – This strong, woody herb is delicious with mellow or sweet veggies like carrots and squash and is fantastic with poultry. It adds a classic flavor to soups and stews as well as stuffing and potato dishes.

Rosemary – This fragrant, spiny-leafed herb is most commonly used in Mediterranean cooking and is delicious with lamb and chicken. Infuse in your favorite olive oil and use as a dip for fresh, crusty bread,  or roast cubed potatoes in olive oil, rosemary, salt and pepper for a tasty, classic potato dish.

Cilantro – Love Mexican food? Chances are you’ve eaten a lot of this herb. It’s great in fresh salsa, chopped and sprinkled in tacos and in quesadillas.

Basil – A classic Italian herb, basil comes in a few varieties such as Thai basil, lemon basil and regular. It’s delicious chopped and added to salads, marinara sauces or on pizza, and it is the main component in pesto.

Dill – This mellow herb isn’t just for pickles! Fresh dill is delicious with fish and in potato and mixed green salad. Stir into vegetable soups or homemade dip. While it’s not strong, it has a distinct, almost sweet flavor that complements proteins and vegetables alike. Here’s a great recipe for a Mediterranean Pasta Salad for something different that is also a bit healthier for a summer night or a Labor Day gathering.

Herbs add flavor to dishes that will satisfy without salt, and they have health benefits, too. Find out what the healthiest spices are here. Our recipe for Veggie Lover’s Lasagna is just packed with fresh basil, oregano, and parsley, and loaded with tasty fresh vegetables to give you a lot of flavor without too much salt. This tasty Spicy and Cool Pasta Salad will have you enjoying fresh cilantro and chives with the added punch of mango salsa!

Today, put down the salt shaker and try adding some fresh, healthy herbs to your meals! You’ll find you won’t miss the salt and enjoy the flavor more!

WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY!

                      WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY!

Women's Equality Day is celebrated in the United States on August 26 to commemorate the 1920 adoption of the Nineteenth Amendment (Amendment XIX) to the United States Constitution, which prohibits the states and the federal government from denying the right to vote to citizens of the United States on the basis of sex. It was first celebrated in 1973 and is proclaimed each year by the United States President.

HISTORY:

The date was chosen to commemorate the day in 1920 when Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby signed the proclamation granting American women the constitutional right to vote. In 1971, following the 1970 nationwide Women's Strike for Equality, and again in 1973, as the battles over the Equal Rights Amendment continued, Congresswoman Bella Abzugof New York introduced a resolution to designate August 26 as Women’s Equality Day.

On August 16, 1973, Congress approved H.J. Res. 52, which stated that August 26 would be designated as Women's Equality Day and that "the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation in commemoration of that day in 1920 on which the women in American were first guaranteed the right to vote".The same day, President Richard Nixon issued Proclamation 4236 for Women's Equality Day, which began, in part: "The struggle for women's suffrage, however, was only the first step toward full and equal participation of women in our Nation's life. In recent years, we have made other giant strides by attacking sex discrimination through our laws and by paving new avenues to equal economic opportunity for women. Today, in virtually every sector of our society, women are making important contributions to the quality of American life. And yet, much still remains to be done".

As of 2018, every president since Richard Nixon has issued a proclamation designating August 26 as Women’s Equality Day.On August 25, 2016, President Obama's Proclamation read, in part: "Today, as we celebrate the anniversary of this hard-won achievement and pay tribute to the trailblazers and suffragists who moved us closer to a more just and prosperous future, we resolve to protect this constitutional right and pledge to continue fighting for equality for women and girls.

ETA SIGMA DELTA  PRINCESS PINKY RUFUS A.K.A *BIG SISTER SET IT OFF*

NATIONAL KISS AND MAKEUP DAY!

   NATIONAL KISS AND MAKEUP DAY!

                     NATIONAL KISS AND MAKE UP DAY

National Kiss and Make Up Day reminds us to end the quarrels, arguments, and fights. Instead, come to an agreement with anyone you’ve had a disagreement with on National Kiss and Make Up Day on August 25th. 

Similar to the April 2nd National Reconciliation Day, National Kiss and Make Up Day gives us a chance to make amends.  Each one of us has had a fight with a loved one at some point in our lives.  Whether it is between you and a friend, family member, neighbor or co-worker after time has passed, do you remember the cause?  Who was even at fault? Do you want the discord to go on any longer? That is probably the most important question of all.

Offering an apology, or simply just breaking the silence can be enough to begin the healing.  Strive to compromise. Even in a no-win situation, if the relationship is worth preserving agreeing to disagree may be the only resolution. When we talk through issues calmly after a serious dispute, we often find both sides misunderstood the other person.  Looking back, hopefully, we can find something to laugh about and repair the relationship.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Let’s find a way to resolve the differences and celebrate with a new start on National Kiss and Make Up Day!  Use #KissAndMakeUpDay to post on social media.

HISTORY 

Jacqueline Milgate of Hilton, New York founded Kiss and Make Up Day giving loved ones a scheduled day to mend relationships.

ETA SIGMA DELTA BIG SISTER PINKY RUFUS A.K.A BIG SISTER SET IT OFF! <3

National Sister's Day

Happy National Sister's Day

When you think of the word sister, what do you think of? I think of a friend, a constant, a person who has your back through thick and thin, your go to, your person. Sisters are special and today is their day, so in honor of sisters everywhere, this blog is for you!
National Sisters Day on the first Sunday in August celebrates the unique bond between sisters. This particular set of siblings embrace moments that make them laugh and cringe. While they don’t always agree, sisters have each other’s backs.
All siblings have the odd argument here and there, but deep down there’s little way around the natural connection between siblings. Even those who don’t have a natural sister sibling know the bonds of sisterhood. Those who forge a relationship with their spouse’s sisters understand. Also, women who support each other through difficult times form a sisterhood.  I can say I have both, I have a biological sister and then I have several sisters, even though they are not related by blood, they are MY family, my sisters, my ride or die’s, so my sisters I am going to give you the recognition you deserve. I love you all so much!

My Twin- Pinky Rufus
Always know no matter what we go through, I will always be here for you when and if you need me. We are like true sisters, we laugh, we love and we sometimes argue but that’s to be expected. You have become a big part of my world in the last year. I love you Twin, and always know I’m your biggest fan!







My Sister- Destiny Davis
Woman when I tell you, that you are one of my best blessings, know that I mean that with every fiber of my being. You started off my big sister in pledging, then friends, then my boss and now I couldn’t imagine SL without you. You are so important and such a wonderful spirit to be around. You are level headed and calm, and you honestly give the best advice. Your love for your sisters is unconditional. I love you so much sis, and know I am here when and if you need me.




My Line Sis Elle
A quiet beauty you are, you are always willing to lend a hand to someone who needs it. Your soul is beautiful and you are one of the most genuine people I have met in a long time. Stay Sweet...Love you








 Sisser
Bestie Boo/Sis UQQN
So many things to say about you, but the one thing I can say is that you are the sister that everyone needs in their corner. The fire cracker, the one who tells It straight from the hip and loves hard. A pleasure it was to meet you, and its been a greater pleasure to bond with you and call you my sister. Love you Bestie Boo!!!







Sis Egypt
You honestly do not get enough credit for what you are to our sisterhood. The reliable, positive, and the one who is always lifting our spirits. You are the sweetest sis, and I love every time we get a chance to spend time together. Your laugh is contagious, but your personality cannot be duplicated. You are one of a kind and I hope you never change. Love you Red!!






Sis Angel- ESD Founder
You are strong, courageous, and fierce. You lead by example and always make sure we are good. We have seen you carry so much weight on your shoulders but never break or never lose it. Don’t ever forget you are the one who carries us and makes us want to strive to be better. Keep shining, keep pushing, and always remember, your sisters have your back through any and everything. Love you so much sis.






Sis Sugarbaby-

Little Miss Feisty- lol, you are always keeping me laughing and you are always so positive. I love how you are always willing to step up and encourage your sisters. You are more what this world needs, and know you don’t go unnoticed. Love you Sis








Sis Daphne-

 The easy-going sister who always wants to be of some assistance to someone in need. I love your attitude and your tell it like it is attitude. Don’t ever change and always keep smiling.









Sis Mic, and Dru-

 I don’t know both of you that well, but we are still sisters. I look forward to bonding with the both of you.











If you have a sister that you love and hold near and dear to your heart, please don’t just use this day to let her know how much you appreciate her. We are never promised tomorrow, so always make sure the people that you love, know exactly how you feel. Happy Sisters Day to the ladies on this list, but to all the sisters around the world. Thank you for reading and until next time, take care of yourself and each other

Sincerely,
Christy Sparrowhawk
Big Sister Sweet N Sassy